FAIRBANKS - The Alaska Nanooks volleyball team is off to Costa Rica for their first ever international trip! Want to experience it with them? Tune in everyday for blog updates, photo drops, and daily travel vlogs! 

Day One 

Early bird gets the worm, that's what they say right? Well in that case, we are going to need a bunch of worms for these early rising 'Nooks! 

The travel day started bright and early with the team arriving to Fairbanks International Airport just after 12am. After just four days of practicing together as a team, they packed their bags and boarded their first flight to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

After arriving in Seattle, they immediately boarded their next flight to Los Angeles International Airport, where they would fuel up before the longest flight of their travel day. After some sandwiches, açaí bowls and smoothies the girls boarded their flight to the Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica! 

Time flew by on the last flight as the anticipation grew for the ‘Nooks. After all, who wouldn’t be excited for a trip like this? Lot of snacks, laughs and a little bit of two-stepping in the isle made six hours in the air feel like 30 minutes. After they landed the team went through customs, got Costa Rican stamps in their passports and loaded onto buses for a dinner of tacos, burritos and desert chimichangas!

With full stomachs, the girls checked into their hotel rooms, finalizing their first day of this exciting Costa Rican adventure!

WATCH THE DAY ONE VLOG BELOW:

DAY TWO

There's truly nothing like waking up in a completely different country, especially when you get to wake up in Costa Rica! After a long travel day and some much needed sleep, these 'Nooks were up and at it for their first full day in this beautiful new country. But first- breakfast.

Things are different here- the fruit is fresh, the temperatures are higher, the fruit is fresh…. Wait did we already say that the fruit is fresh? Well it is, and the girls had their fill this morning alongside eggs, sausage, toast and more. The fruit just left a lasting impression, we can't help it!

After breakfast, the team hopped back on the buses to coach a clinic for locals in the area as well as play a local Costa Rican team. At the clinic the girls demonstrated the main keys to serving, passing and hitting, all of which to come together and play out an Alaska volleyball favorite drill: From the Side.

Immediately after the clinic, the 'Nooks played a fun match, coming out with the win and exchanged Alaska memorabilia with the players of the opposing team. Overall, the experience was amazing and it truly was so fun to see how the game of volleyball can bring people together. 

Ever heard of the magic school bus? Well, that's kind of how a tour bus feels right after a nap! When the ‘Nooks woke up from their post-game rest, they woke up surrounded by the jungle, in awe of the lush greenery that surrounded them. What’s better? They saw animals and insects they've never seen before, and on the way to lunch! 

Satisfied from eating a hearty lunch, the bus transported the group to our second hotel in La Fortuna. The pool was calling from the second the bus pulled in, so as soon as room assignments were given, they were out the door for a swim. Words can't describe the beauty of La Fortuna (So you might just have to watch the vlog below to experience it yourself!)

After a much needed swim surrounded by nature, the team got back together one last time for dinner, then called it a night to cap off their second day in Costa Rica!

SEE PHOTOS BELOW:

WATCH THE DAY TWO VLOG BELOW:

Day Three

Boy do we have a fun one for you today! It wouldn't be Costa Rica without the full water and sky experience now would it? Get your coffee and breakfast and join these early risers for the experience of a lifetime. 

(Spoiler alert: Many of these 'Nooks have put this day on the top of their list for coolest experience!)

The sky was awake, so the team was awake, bright and early at 6:00am to get a quick bite of breakfast and hit the road. After a few extra Zzz's were had on the drive, the girls woke up to a lush rainforest surrounding them. They unloaded and checked in at the Arenal Mundo Adventura where they would begin the day.

After a quick safety lesson for a later experience, they loaded onto a tractor-pulled bus, parading through the rainforest. Upon stopping, they unloaded, dropped off their bags and started a steep downhill hike to the La Fortuna Waterfall. You'll just have to watch the vlog to understand the amazement that these girls had while swimming in the waterfall's pools!

Post-swim, they did a quick hike back up to where the tractor-pulled bus dropped them off and were fitted in their gear. Now you might be asking, "What gear?' Well, let me tell you! With their heads protected and harnesses strapped, these girls were ready to fly in the sky for a rainforest zip-lining tour! Crazy right?

After experiencing eight different cables, they flew fast and high, seeing all they could of the flora around and below them. Not to mention screaming a few times, but those screams were eased after the sights being seen and the humorous comments made by the zip-line attendants. Needless to say, they made a few new friends and made a lasting impression.

As soon as they turned in their gear, the girls went back on their tour bus to drive to lunch, which was fried rice, beans, salad and plantain chips. Let us be the first to tell you in case you haven't had them for yourself: If you haven't had plantain chips, you're missing out!

With their food eaten and even more Zzz's taken, the bus was full again, heading to a soccer field where they would play games with local kids. They played games like “Cut the Cake” (Kind of like duck-duck-goose) and Sharks and Minnows. After some physical activity, they tested the kid's knowledge of English words, and then gave the kids the opportunity to test our knowledge of Spanish words. This was all in pursuit of a good ol' lollipop and some laughs, which without a doubt were had!

The day was not quite over after the hugs goodbye, as the girls still had hours left in the day. Some girls chose to swim in the cool waters of the hotel, some took the time to call their families, and some just got even more sleep before dinner!

Dinner this night was rice, vegetables, pasta, chicken and more! We even had a creamed squash soup that was a favorite of many, so they're crossing their fingers they might have it again.

That's all for day three of this Costa Rican adventure! Make sure you watch the vlog and look through the pictures, because today was like no other!

WATCH THE DAY THREE VLOG BELOW:

SEE PHOTOS BELOW:

Day Four

Oh, how sweet it is. (That's a hint into what the girls did today, so cast your guesses now!)

As if this trip hasn't been perfect already, these 'Nooks got to sleep in a little extra AND wake up to a bright blue sky. With no rain in sight, the team had their breakfast and drove just under an hour to the Two Little Monkeys Chocolate Farm where they would have an experience like no other. 

The sun was absolutely beating on the girls as they made toured the grounds, being told of all that it grew and the importance of the agriculture. From cacao to annatto (a plant that produces seeds for red dye), the farm proved to be lush and full of life. That wasn't the only life there though!

Along the tour, our guide pointed out some brown fur hanging from the tops of one of the trees. What might this fur be, you may be asking? A wild baby sloth. Yep. A dream come true really. Not only did they see a sloth, they saw frogs of many kinds as well as ant colonies paving highways around the farm. 

After touring the grounds, they made their way to a clearing where they would plant el mondo netanya trees, which are a favorite of the green macaw. Taking part in this reforestation project was food for the soul, and left the team with knowledge of the importance of taking care of the world and all that it provides. 

Getting their hands dirty was rewarding work in itself, but to sweeten the deal our guide led the girls back to our original landing spot to teach them how to make real chocolate. The 'Nooks helped in the process of grinding the cacao in order to make a bitter and a sweet hot chocolate (which was to die for), and the timing was perfect as the rain began to pour just as the cups began to be filled. 

With a few purchased chocolate bars in hand, the girls said their thank you's and loaded back on the bus to head to their second clinic of the trip in San Carlos. The girls led eight local players, both girls and boys in the skills of serving and passing, eventually implementing the skills into our second shared drill: Cutthroat. In this drill, there are three teams, with two playing against each other and one team serving, all in pursuit of gaining points for their teams. 

Immediately following the clinic, the girls geared up for their second match of the trip, playing another local team. The 'Nooks came out successful again, winning in three sets and playing a fourth for fun. 

We've said it before and we'll say it again: There is truly nothing like recognizing the power that sports has to bring people together. The team got to sit and eat pizza with the opposing team after exchanging UAF memorabilia and to share our life experiences with one another was amazing. If the girls have learned one thing during this trip, it is that there is so much we can learn about one another just by saying hello, or in this case hola. 

Post-game, the girls said their goodbye's and loaded up on the bus to head back to the hotel in La Fortuna, where some would take the opportunity to swim in the pool one last time, and some would tuck themselves in for the night. 

That's all for day four! Remember we have vlogs and pictures for every single one of these days, so don't miss a beat and tune in for each day of this adventure!

WATCH THE DAY FOUR VLOG BELOW:

SEE PHOTOS BELOW:

Day Five

Do you hear that Nanook Nation? The ocean is calling so grab your swimsuits and sunscreen because it's going to be a hot one!

The Nanook Volleyball team checked out of their hotel in La Fortuna after grabbing some breakfast, then leaded up the bus for a long ride to the coast. The beautiful city of Jaco awaited them, but first the team had to endure a three hour bus ride where they would sleep, snack and snap some photos of the drive. 

About halfway to Jaco, the team stopped for a buffet-style lunch and some ice cream, which was relieving given the heat of the day. The sun began to shine just as the girls arrived at the Beach Break Resort, where they would choose to either take surfing lessons, relax on the beach or sit out at the pool. Once sun rays were caught and skin began to redden, it was time to experience the sunset as a team. 

Once team pictures were taken, the girls walked in groups to different restaurants around the town, so as much as we want to give you a menu of what we ate, there's just too many players to keep track of! Just know that it was a great night with great food and you can trust us on that one!

Ever heard of heat exhaustion? Well we have, and that's why this blog seems a bit shorter compared to previous days! There wasn't much on the agenda for the day but that tends to happen with days meant for relaxation right? 

Expect more tomorrow Nanook Nation because we are closing out this adventure with day six and you won't want to miss it!

WATCH THE DAY FIVE VLOG BELOW:

SEE PHOTOS BELOW:

Day Six

It's our last day in Costa Rica and we're starting it off with a song! This song is a special one for one of our newbies, Rachel as she turned 24! Nothing like spending your GOLDEN birthday in Costa Rica right? We're all a little bit jealous too don't worry!

After tunes were sang, the team made their way to breakfast where they would fill up for a long final day in this beautiful country. The team had a few hours to spend before they had to check out of their hotel so they took the opportunity to either shop, swim, or crack open some more coconuts! It wouldn't be the last day without a sunburn, filled suitcase and fresh coconut water now would it?

The girls then boarded onto the tour buses again where they would head to lunch and even see some wild crocodiles! Some of the girls even expressed their confidence or lack thereof of their ability to wrestle a crocodile! What can we say, we earned the confidence after a summer of strength training!

The day was far from over as the team had a very long drive to their last clinic and game. They spent a few hours on the bus where they would play rock, paper, scissors with local Costa Ricans while stuck in traffic and give high-fives to those driving on motorcycles close to the bus. Once they reached the gym, they went right into the clinic where they introduced a drill called “Dog House” to the local players which was enjoyed to its fullest extent. 

Post-clinic, the girls played their final game of this international trip, taking in every moment with each other and walking away with some amazing memories. But wait- the night wasn't over yet!

The girls packed their bags after exchanging jerseys with the opposing team, and hurried back onto the bus where they would eat dinner on the way to another hotel. After this quick bite they arrived at the hotel where they would do a turn-and-burn just so that the girls could shower before flying 14 hours back to Alaska. 

Refreshed as ever, they hopped back onto the bus after 30 minutes at the hotel and arrived at the airport. Once their bags were unloaded, they said their thanks to the guides and bus drivers who have proved themselves to be our new best-friends and took their last looks at the beautiful country that is Costa Rica. 

This trip has been absolutely amazing and the Alaska Nanooks Volleyball team thanks you, Nanook Nation, for supporting them in everything that they do. Thank you for enjoying this trip with us and we will see you for next adventures soon!

WATCH THE DAY SIX VLOG BELOW: